Rays host Yankees, Red Sox in six-game homestand

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field tomorrow for a six-game homestand against the New York Yankees (September 2-4) and the Boston Red Sox (September 5-7). The 2022 Rays season is presented by Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

Friday, September 2 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Regina Tucker
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Budweiser's 'Caption This' social media contest winner Hannah Watkins.
• 7th Inning Stretch: Will be performed by Bishop Dabney Smith and Bishop-elect Douglas Scharf, Episcopal Diocese.
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Day: In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day and in partnership with Major League Baseball and the Starlight Children's Foundation, the Rays are donating two Starlight Nintendo Switch gaming stations to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children's pediatric cancer unit. Starlight Nintendo gaming stations transform a child’s hospital experience and provide a sense of normalcy. Patients at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children will also receive a special video message from Rays players. For more information, visit starlight.org/mlb.
• Partnership Recognition: The Rays Baseball Foundation will recognize its partnership with CASA and present them with a $15,000 grant.

Saturday, September 3 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 6:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 4:40 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Monique McCall.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Tampa International Airport representative; Jose Batisita on behalf of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida.
• 7th Inning Stretch: Will be performed by a Tampa International Airport group.
• Jean Ramirez Remembrance: The Rays welcome the Bombers Baseball Instructional Academy from the Mid-Florida Youth Baseball League, which is devoted to teaching young players the game of baseball and helping high school student-athletes reach the collegiate level. Former Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez, who died by suicide in January, volunteered with the youth team in Kissimmee, regularly speaking to their young players and working with the catchers. Since his passing, the league has renamed their JV-Varsity Division as the Jean Ramirez #98 High School Division.

Sunday, September 4 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 1:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 12:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Maxine Reyes.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Caspers Company Vice President, Community Relations Bob Conigliaro; Florida Elks State President Danny Tabor.
• 7th Inning Stretch: Will be performed by a group representing Operation Par on behalf of National Recovery Month, which promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery for mental and substance use disorders.
• For The Kids: Sundays are Family Fun Days. Every Sunday home game will feature family fun performers, including face painters and balloon artists. Kids are invited to run the bases following the conclusion of the game.
• Kiermaier’s Kids: With an annual donation of $30,000 to the Children’s Dream Fund, Kevin Kiermaier and his wife, Marisa, fulfill the dreams of numerous children living with life-threatening illnesses as part of their Kiermaier’s Kids program. Kevin and Marisa will host the 2022 Kiermaier’s Kids and their families for a pregame meet-and-greet.
• Partnership Recognition: The Rays Baseball Foundation will recognize its partnership with Girls on the Run Greater Tampa Bay and present them with a $5,000 grant.

Monday, September 5 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 4:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 2:40 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Melanie Simpson.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Foundation board member Judy Lisi, the former President and CEO at Straz Center.
• Salute to Service: Active-duty and retired military members, as well as first responders, can receive 50 percent off tickets in the Lower Reserved, Lower Box and 200 Level sections. This offer expires the night before the game at midnight. To take advantage of the offer, visit RaysBaseball.com/Military or RaysBaseball.com/FirstResponders and click “Get Verified” to be verified through ID.me and receive a coupon code.

Tuesday, September 6 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Samantha Leigh.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Teruhiro Kawabe, President and CEO, Morinaga America, Inc.
• Tuesday’s Champion: Before every Tuesday home game, the Rays recognize a child from the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children’s Dream Fund as a part of the “Tuesday’s Champion” program, presented by RIPA & Associates. The Rays will recognize 16-year-old Stryker Sullivan from the Children's Dream Fund with a ceremonial first pitch.
• Partnership Recognition: The Rays Baseball Foundation will recognize its partnership with the American Heart Association – Tampa Bay and present them with a $55,000 grant.
• Salute to Service: Active-duty and retired military members, as well as first responders, can receive 50 percent off tickets in the Lower Reserved, Lower Box and 200 Level sections. This offer expires the night before the game at midnight. To take advantage of the offer, visit RaysBaseball.com/Military or RaysBaseball.com/FirstResponders and click “Get Verified” to be verified through ID.me and receive a coupon code.

Wednesday, September 7 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 6:40 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:10 p.m.
• National Anthem: Will be performed by Ani Hesse.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Rays Season Member Billy Martin; Mark Ferguson on behalf of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida.
• Partnership Recognition: The Rays Baseball Foundation will recognize its partnership with St. Petersburg College and present them with a $5,000 grant.
• Salute to Service: Active-duty and retired military members, as well as first responders, can receive 50 percent off tickets in the Lower Reserved, Lower Box and 200 Level sections. This offer expires the night before the game at midnight. To take advantage of the offer, visit RaysBaseball.com/Military or RaysBaseball.com/FirstResponders and click “Get Verified” to be verified through ID.me and receive a coupon code.

Additional Homestand Notes

• Student Ticket Special: Students who are enrolled in a college or university and have a valid .edu email address are eligible to purchase $9 standing-room only tickets to Monday–Thursday home games. Limit two (2) tickets per game. For more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/Students.
• Papa John’s Rays 6 Promotion: When the Rays score six or more runs in a home or away game, fans can receive 50 percent off their pizza order using code RAYS6 the next day at PapaJohns.com or the Papa John’s Official app.
• Kane’s Furniture 10K Promotion: If Rays pitchers strike out 10 batters during a home game, take your mobile ticket located in the MLB Ballpark app or a print-at-home voucher to any Kane’s Furniture store within five days and receive a coupon for one free taco, chips and medium fountain drink at participating area Tijuana Flats locations. Restrictions apply. For more information, visit KanesStrikeout.com.
• Lowe’s Home Runs for Hope: For every home run Rays infielder Brandon Lowe hits, he and his wife, Madison, will donate $100 to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The Rays Baseball Foundation will also contribute $100 per home run in support of Lowe’s “Home Runs for Hope” campaign. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay provides a range of services to ensure that no one in the community has to face a crisis alone. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as the community gateway to help. People who are struggling with a variety of crisis situations including sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts and other emotional or situational problems can connect to hope and healing.
• Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Program: Pledge to be a designated driver by abstaining from alcohol and signing up via the MLB Ballpark app. Provide your contact information, follow the confirmation link in your inbox and show at Gate 3 Guest Services. Each fan who signs up will receive a small cup good for soda or water at Coca-Cola Refresh Stations. One winner each game will also receive a Rays hat.
• 50/50 Charity Raffle: For all home games, fans can obtain 50/50 charity raffle tickets at Tropicana Field and online at RaysBaseball.com/5050. Online raffle tickets are open to all persons who are in the State of Florida (excluding Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties) and 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Fans who obtain their raffle tickets prior to first pitch will receive twice the number of entries for their donation. Proceeds from the 50/50 charity raffle benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and the official charity of the Rays.